The Insight

Percipient thought-pieces and opinions from some
of the world’s most respected industry leaders.

Ross Taylor by Ross Taylor on 14th June 2026

With a raft of advertising awards shows throughout every year, and with the Cannes Lions just around the corner, Ross Taylor, Group Executive Creative Director at Havas Play London, shares the things he believes jurors at any show should try to avoid.

12th Jun
When it comes to playfulness, joy pays dividends

When it comes to playfulness, joy pays dividends

World War Seven Managing Director and Partner, Sloane Skala, believes that the atmosphere on a set, the camaraderie and the joyfulness, leaches into the work. If you're attempting to make a comedy spot but things are tense and clients are anxious, building playfulness into the whole operation lights the fuse for creativity.

11th Jun
In order to win, brands need to recognise that the World Cup is a different game

In order to win, brands need to recognise that the World Cup is a different game

With the FIFA World Cup kicking off today, Kerel Cooper, CMO at MarketCast, looks at the opportunities for brands and why football's greatest show is a huge opportunity for the brands that know how to approach it.

9th Jun
The highest level of creativity is play

The highest level of creativity is play

With too many layers and too much conversation, the art of play with advertising has been lost. MakeMake Founder Angus Wall says the industry needs to relearn the ability to enjoy itself.

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What cycling 1,000km across the Alps taught me about leadership
5th Jun

What cycling 1,000km across the Alps taught me about leadership

As this year's Fireflies cyclists prepare for the arduous ride into Cannes, Amy Coomber, Chief Creative Production Officer at Neverland, reflects on her inaugural ride in 2025 and the lessons she learned about ambition, resilience and teamwork

4th Jun
From viral moments to meaningful action: What brands miss after a spike

From viral moments to meaningful action: What brands miss after a spike

After a newsworthy moment or social media blow-up, quick, effective and creative responses are some brands' bread and butter. But, says Kim Martin, Executive Creative Director at Flourish, those same brands' customer relationship management approach doesn't always match up.

3rd Jun
Will AI rescue advertising creativity?

Will AI rescue advertising creativity?

A recent article by Andrew Lang about the potential threat to filmmakers from AI caught director Andy Lambert's attention. Some elements he agreed with, but others he felt less sure about. Here, he explains why he believes AI has the potential to herald a creative renaissance in advertising.

29th May
Gaming the system; Advertising's state of play

Gaming the system; Advertising's state of play

Advertising is famously a long-hours culture, where the work is king. But behind the work, the creativity, inspiration, innovation and improvisation necessary to achieve best-in-class results depends on the impish, unruly spirit of play.

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The shots Podcast: Best Cannes Lions Grand Prix... ever
27th May
THE SHOTS PODCAST

The shots Podcast: Best Cannes Lions Grand Prix... ever

The latest podcast face-off sees Co-Editors Danny Edwards and Jamie Madge attempt to distil 70+ years of roaring success into a sprightly top five.

26th May
The future is here, and it's human

The future is here, and it's human

Talk of AI and its impact on the industry often centres around filmmakers but, asks director Andrew Lang, what about audiences? If, now, "the cost of producing empty spectacle is zero", does that spectacle itself become worthless? Lang believes that filmmakers must look at what AI can do, then do the opposite.

18th May
Real-time filmmaking is coming… most won’t survive it

Real-time filmmaking is coming… most won’t survive it

Artificial intelligence is here, and it will fundamentally alter filmmaking. But, says The Moon Unit, AI's democratisation of the industry is a fallacy, because as the jigsaw of real-time filmmaking edges closer to completion, it will be the select few with access to the knowledge, rather than the masses with access to the tech, who will come out on top.

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